The Role and Running of Commissions of Inquiry: Australian Academy of Law seminar

Date: Thursday, 1 August 2024Time: 5:30pm – 6:45pm AESTPlace: Banco Court, Level 3, 415 George Street, Brisbane QLD andOnline: This is a free public event and a link will be provided prior to it if you cannot attend in person.

Over the past decade or so the use of royal commissions and other public inquiries as an adjunct of government has expanded exponentially. They are often led by a judge, generally retired, or a senior member of the legal profession and, on occasion, by an academic. It is essential for those leading an inquiry and those otherwise involved in it to appreciate how much an inquiry differs from litigation, whether as a judge, a lawyer, or an interested party.

The speakers will discuss the large topic of the role and value of commissions of inquiry in the Westminster system, and range over the question of who should lead an inquiry, the role of counsel assisting, the pitfalls of celebrity and relations with the media, the difficulties in offering procedural fairness within the time constraints of an inquiry, relations with the commissioning government, issues of privilege, variations across jurisdictions, getting and managing the material, and obtaining and nurturing staff.

Please see attached flyer for more information and to register.